Finally, Afzal Guru File Moves

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has finally moved the file pertaining to 2001 parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s mercy petition, said media reports.

With the notings of the state government, the file was sent to the Union Home Ministry, reports said.

The move came a day after reports that the Delhi government had been sitting on the file since October 2006 in spite of reminders from the ministry.

Dikshit had yesterday sought to blame the delay on technicalities.

The ministry had sent a letter to Delhi’s principal secretary (home) on October 4, 2006, the same day Guru filed his clemency plea.

Since then, it had sent 16 reminders but Delhi government responded to only three and even in these responses, it avoided giving a view on Guru’s plea.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Home Secretary GS Patnaik said that the government had received the ministry’s letter and would fast-track the process.

(Based on internet reports)